Thank you for the interpretative question between Melchizidek and Abraham, “Gen 14 says that Melchizidek gave tithes to Abraham so why does Paul say that Abraham gave tithes to Melchizedek? When reading Gen 14:18 Melchizedek is the Noun. The word HE is used 3 times and is a pronoun which represents the noun. Do U see it?”
In order for us to conclude who gave tithes to whom, let’s review Genesis 14. I cite the NIV. “8 Then Melchizedek king of Salem brought out bread and wine. He was priest of God Most High, 19 and he blessed Abram, saying, “Blessed be Abram by God Most High, Creator of heaven and earth. 20 And praise be to God Most High, who delivered your enemies into your hand.” Then Abram gave him a tenth of everything.”
Here are some thoughts for one’s consideration:
A. The subject of the verses in verse 8–20b is Melchizedek.
B. Melchizedek is king of Salem.
B. Melchizedek as king of Salem brought out bread and wine to reflect his thanks and friendship to Abram.
B. Melchizedek is also priest of God Most High.
C. Melchizedek blessed Abram as priest of God Most High.
D. Melchizedek acknowledges that it was God Most High who delivered Abram’s enemies into his hand.
At this point, a king would be higher in position than deliverer Abram. The king is indebted to Abram, but the deliverer Abram is not a king. Abram doesn’t assert himself as being a king being equal with the king of Salem.
In addition, this king fulfilled the role as priest for his city. He is not a pagan priest, but a priest of God Most High. A priest would be in higher position since he would be representing God. Abram was not a priest. Thus Abram would be under the authority of the priest of the God Most High.
This is confirmed as Melchizedek blesses Abram, not that Abram blesses Melchizedek. Melchizedek invokes the name of the God Most High, Creator of Heaven and Earth. Abram sees and listens to what Melchizedek says to him.
Thus the question is this: Who gives tithes to whom? Your observation of the last sentence is correct: He gave him a tenth of everything. In the Hebrew text, the word, Abram, is not present. That is the NIV interpreter’s of the pronoun, he, is referring to Abram, not to Melchizedek.
The reasoning for Abram is being the subject, he, in this case is that the one who blesses is greater than the one who is being blessed. Abram receives the blessings from Melchizedek. In Abram’s acknowledgement of God’s blessing on him, he gives the priest a tenth of all that he has. Abram acknowledges that it was God who gave him the victory, not by his own might for the army of Kedorlaomer and the kings allied with him should have been able to defeat him easily. Abram could have been killed. He was spared and granted victory. In his gratefulness to God he gives Melchizedek a tenth of all that he possessed.
Another thought is that it would be irregular for a priest to give a10th of all he had to a person, even to any deliverer. The possessions of the priest does not belong to him. It belongs to God. It is unlikely that a priest would take the treasures of God and give it to anyone. The priest receives gifts from worshipers. He does not give gifts to the worshiper.
SUMMARY: I agree with the NIV translator that the he refers to Abram, and the him, refers to Melchizedek. It was Abram who gave a tenth to the priest of the Most High God. Abram was blessed and he wanted to express his gratitude by giving a generous gift of a tenth to the priest of the God Most High, Melchizedek.
For more perspectives: